A's pitcher Raul Alcantara, (70) chases down a come backer to the mound during drills at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 1 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's pitcher Raul Alcantara, (70) chases down a come backer to the mound during drills at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's Josh Donaldson, (20) inside the batting cage at during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 2 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's Josh Donaldson, (20) inside the batting cage at during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's infielder Nate Freiman, (7) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 10 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's infielder Nate Freiman, (7) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's infielder Nate Freiman, (7) during workouts at the Papago Baseball...Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland...Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona...desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 11 of 23|Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

The Chronicle

A's outfielder, Billy Burns, (19) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 11 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's outfielder, Billy Burns, (19) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's infielder Eric Sogard, (28) tosses to first base during training at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 12 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's infielder Eric Sogard, (28) tosses to first base during training at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's infielder Eric Sogard, (28) tosses to first base during training...at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb....20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training...schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 13 of 23|Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

The Chronicle

A's infielder Nick Punto, (1) tosses to first base during drills at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 13 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's infielder Nick Punto, (1) tosses to first base during drills at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's catcher Chris Gimenez, (35) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 16 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's catcher Chris Gimenez, (35) during workouts at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

A's catcher Chris Gimenez, (35) during workouts at the Papago Baseball...Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland...Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona...desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 17 of 23|Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

The Chronicle

A's pitcher Luke Gregerson, (44) throws during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 17 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

A's pitcher Luke Gregerson, (44) throws during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Outfielder Craig Gentry, (3) during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 21 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

Outfielder Craig Gentry, (3) during practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Outfielder Craig Gentry, (3) during practice at the Papago Baseball...Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland...Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona...desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Coco Crisp. (4) signs autographs after practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Image 23 of 23 - Feb. 21: Oakland A's at spring training

Coco Crisp. (4) signs autographs after practice at the Papago Baseball Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Coco Crisp. (4) signs autographs after practice at the Papago Baseball...Facility in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday Feb. 20, 2014. The Oakland...Athletics continue their spring training schedule in the Arizona...desert in preparation of the 2014 MBL season.

Manager Bob Melvin was asked about non-roster (and former Stanford) outfielder Sam Fuld today, and from the other side of the field, Melvin said, “He’s a pest!”

Fuld, known for his hard-charging defense, isn’t likely to make the Opening Day roster – but he has two outs in his minor-league deal, including one in March, which might come into play if he finds an opportunity elsewhere. If not, his other opt-out is June 1.

Fuld fits what Oakland does well, because he’s versatile (see today’s Chronicle story: He can pitch, too! As can fellow outfielder Craig Gentry and catcher Dusty Brown, fun stuff). Plus, he understands how to succeed in a role off the bench.

“He’s a good acquisition for us,” Melvin said. “As we’ve seen, depth is an important thing, to have a guy like that in your pocket. And I’m not saying he has no chance to make the team. … He certainly fits our style.”

Also in today’s Chronicle: The A’s retain interest in Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, though signing him looks like a real longshot given his expected pricetag. And the First Pitch for Diego movement is making inroads with the A’s. Sean Doolittle told me this morning he’s been trying to make sure behind the scenes that A’s fan Diego Garcia, killed by a suspected drunk driver while jogging, is suitably honored before an A’s game. Doolittle said that Garcia, 25, was buried in an A’s jersey and funeral attendees wore A’s jerseys, too.

“It’s cool to see this grassroots movement gain momentum,” Doolittle said of the Twitter campaign to have Garcia recognized at the Coliseum.

Today should be fun at Papago Park: Melvin had double batting cages set up side-by-side on Field 3, as the A’s saw Japanese teams take batting practice in Tokyo while there in 2008 and 2012. You can get double the work done in the same amount of time with side-by-side cages; this will be the team’s first attempt to mimic the Japanese pre-game staple.

Among the pitchers in action today, throwing to hitters: New starter Scott Kazmir, new closer Jim Johnson and expected No. 2 starter Sonny Gray. Likely Opening Day starter Jarrod Parker threw yesterday, so that all seems to be setting up well already.